BOOK THREE: Psalms 73—89

The Tragedy of the Wicked, and the Blessedness of Trust in God

A Psalm of Asaph.

73 Truly God is good to Israel,To such as are pure in heart.² But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled;My steps had nearly slipped.³ For I was envious of the boastful,When I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

⁴ For there are no pangs in their death,But their strength is firm.⁵ They are not in trouble as other men,Nor are they plagued like other men.⁶ Therefore pride serves as their necklace;Violence covers them like a garment.⁷ Their eyes bulge^[a] with abundance;They have more than heart could wish.⁸ They scoff and speak wickedly concerning oppression;They speak loftily.⁹ They set their mouth against the heavens,And their tongue walks through the earth.

¹⁰ Therefore his people return here,And waters of a full cup are drained by them.¹¹ And they say, “How does God know?And is there knowledge in the Most High?”¹² Behold, these are the ungodly,Who are always at ease;They increase in riches.¹³ Surely I have cleansed my heart in vain,And washed my hands in innocence.¹⁴ For all day long I have been plagued,And chastened every morning.

¹⁵ If I had said, “I will speak thus,”Behold, I would have been untrue to the generation of Your children.¹⁶ When I thought how to understand this,It was too painful for me—¹⁷ Until I went into the sanctuary of God;Then I understood their end.

¹⁸ Surely You set them in slippery places;You cast them down to destruction.¹⁹ Oh, how they are brought to desolation, as in a moment!They are utterly consumed with terrors.²⁰ As a dream when one awakes,So, Lord, when You awake,You shall despise their image.

²¹ Thus my heart was grieved,And I was vexed in my mind.²² I was so foolish and ignorant;I was like a beast before You.²³ Nevertheless I am continually with You;You hold me by my right hand.²⁴ You will guide me with Your counsel,And afterward receive me to glory.

²⁵ Whom have I in heaven but You?And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You.²⁶ My flesh and my heart fail;But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

²⁷ For indeed, those who are far from You shall perish;You have destroyed all those who desert You for harlotry.²⁸ But it is good for me to draw near to God;I have put my trust in the Lord GOD,That I may declare all Your works.